Baby Boomers is Thailand missing the boat?

[Git]

We recently have seen many changes to the tourist venue to a more user friendly deal.

But what has changed for expats living here legally. I lived her for six years that is six years of bringing in 1.2 million a year. Spent in my local community year after year. But I can not qaulify for a resident visa, the way the law is currrently written. You have to have work pemit to qaulify, if your here as a retired person you can't get one. I work on learning Thai not an issue for me.

I'm going to describe my life here, because I believe there are thousand here just like me. I'm not a visitor this is my home. I know there are other things I can do to get that work pemit since I am married to a Thai. But I maintian my single visa.

We are buying a home and everyhting that goes in one, cars and Motorcycles We employee local people to help when we need things done. We have a full time housekeeper that makes more the ladies working in the 7 11's We have set up college funds for her two children, so they can have a better life.

I'm no burden on anyone I pay for Bupa medical insurance.

I particiapte in local fund rasiers for shools, orphanages and Wats. I am a part of my community.

No I don't go to five star hotels and wouldn't even if i had the money, just not what I enjoy. I enjoy the people of Issan. So we tour on our motorcycle and meet real people here and have the joy of knowing what Thailand really is.

I don't care about whose name the house is in, I've read Thai Law and trust the courts here. I'm as protected here as I was in my home country. Thats good enough for me.

There are thousands of expats here just like me, normal people living normal lives in a wonderful country.

I just want to b recognized for what I am I'm not a visitior and I'm not a tourist. This is my home, I'm a resident.

How would this help Thailand first of all millions of baby boomers are retiring now. Most want a peaceful and comfortable life, they can have that here. But, if you say to them sure bring all that you have worked for all your lives we will give one year and take a look at it next year. That is a tremendous leap of faith.

Now the truth is resident visa or not you break the law you will still be subject to jail and deportation as I undertand it. So what harm is in giving those who want to work and achieve this status, it will relieve the pressures on immigration oficials. Let them work in area that are more productive for the country.

I have never taken one baht out of Thailand day after day I bring money I earned elsewhere and put it into the community.

In my humble opinnion we are the least recognized asset Thailand has. I'm not complaining six trips through immigration I can do what they ask. If Thailand was more user friendly to retirees I believe they would see a huge amount of renewable annual income and do very little for it with little effort on their part.

I'm hoping that someone in authority actually reads this and really thinks about it.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Hello Git, (I assume that is an acronym for "Gentleman In Thailand) There is a lot of money to be made by the government with the rules as they stand. I cannot see them changing for the foreseeable future!

[Git]

It's a term for an old motrocyclist. You may be very right cause I'm sure not going anywhere. The odd part is we qaulify in every a way except paying taxes, (I would do that) and the work permit. One of those catch 22's

Maybe an additional classification would do the trick rather then a complete change of law.

Thanks for your input.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Ah, that will be Greeves, Indian, and Triumph then! (from one old "git" to another!)

[Git]

You missed BSA the one I owned

[stilljustbrowsing]

Which BSA? I had a "unit" construction Triumph (amongst many others) built to USA speck, even though it was in England. TR6R to be precise, single carb, twin cylinder 650. (ended up with a Suzuki GS1000EN, shame on me I know!)

[Git]

Late 60's or early 70's 650, can't remember been to long ago. 400 dragstar these day''s. Reliable beast did a loop from Udon to Mae Hong Son last month with it, not one problem two people up and about 80 pounds of gear. Handled it just fine.

We have a ride list here in Udon guys get out together pretty much every week. I'm not a club person so that is good way to share time your passtime.

Bike and I are down for repairs at the moment a local dog paid the ultimate price last week. That was one short expensive ride. I think one of things that keeps me here one of many actually. This is the best riding I have ever saw. Just got to buy some rain gear and put up with bit of heat.

You know one of things I do when I go into area that I don't know is I contact TAT and everytime they have sent me information on the area in english. Never failed me yet just got to ask.

Like I said lots of resaons to make this home. That's why I would really like the Resident Visa, this is home haven't been back to the states in six years doubt that I will ever go back. Doing what immigration asks for is not hard once you know what they want. Might be minor changes year to year or officer to officer, but it's only once year so not a big deal. However, no matter how many times I do I can definetly feel the pressure knowing they can say no as well.

I have never been out in that position, but sometimes they want somehing new and all of suden your in a rush to get things done. The ninety day reporting really doesn't bother me gives me chance to check the notice board and see if anything has changed.

But a lot of peace of mind would come with a real retirement visa, the closest thing to that these days is the Resident Visa

[stilljustbrowsing]

Hi Git, given the choice, I would get one of the old Motto Guzzi 850's (perhaps the "California")
Sorry to read about your misshap, I hope you and your bike make a full, rapid recovery.
If your bike was a BSA, it would be late 60's, BSA was taken over by Triumph around 1969. (I think) My 1972 "Triumph" used the BSA's oil in frame chassis with the Triumph 650 engine.
I am currently lucky, I work for a state enterprise so don't even have to leave the country to renew my visa,(once a year) plus my work permit is tied to my visa, brilliant!

[Git]

I'm lucky with that one as well, have an annual so I don't have to leave either. I just dupilcate the same thing year after year, with that years numbers. Not that big of deal.

Really thinking about the Kawasaki 900, nice bike and new, with the proper book. My Dragstar has several more good years left in it so that will wait.

I could go to a marriage visa. take a TEFL course and teach for three years then I would qaulify. However, I really am retired I don't need to work. (LUCKY) So in the end I could be taking a job for someone who really needs it

[stilljustbrowsing]

Git, I do not teach english!
I am an aircraft maintenance engineer (licenced with several approvals) that decided, after working and living in 26 countries around the world that Thailand is the place for me.
Fell in love with the bloody things (aircraft that is) when I was 6 years old (assembling the plastic models)and have never looked back!
I love machines, take care of them and they will take care of you, unlike the wife, they cannot answer back, but will dump you if you neglect them!
Ref the original Kwak 900, the "side cans" would blow off at 140 MPH + (still a nice bike though!)